Saul Meets Jesus

Stephen, one of Jesus beloved disciples full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.* Then the High Priest and council argued against Stephen and then took Stephen out of the city to be stoned. They surrounded Stephen and threw huge stones at him.   Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep. Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison....Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.*   Even as he was dying Stephen prayed for his enemies. Saul had to be one of the greatest enemies that the first Christians had. Saul persecuted Christians. Persecute means to continually treat a person in a cruel or harmful way. Many Christians feared Saul but Stephen prayed for him. Just as Jesus said:   ...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..*   The good news changes lives. This week we will see how God answered Stephen's prayer. Acts 6:8, Acts 7:60-8: 3, Acts 9:1-2, Matthew 5:44 (NASB)

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